What Is a PGDM Course, and Is It Right for Me?

PGDM stands for Postgraduate Diploma in Management. It is a two-year postgraduate industry-oriented course designed for people looking to work in a management position. The PGDM course is very similar to a Master of Business Administration (MBA) and covers much of the same material, but it is geared towards meeting industry standards. Employers generally consider the two courses equal. In this article, you’ll learn more about the PGDM course and what it covers, along with the various options for study. You’ll also consider the reasons for choosing a PGDM and where you can access the course.

What does a PGDM course cover?

The PGDM course focuses on business management and its various functions, with an emphasis on industry requirements, including marketing, economics, accounting, business analytics, supply chain management, information technology, human resources, strategic management, business law, and business ethics. 

The course is offered by private and autonomous business schools, making it highly regarded as an alternative to an MBA, offered by universities governed by The University Grants Commission.

As PGDM courses are industry-specific, they mix classroom learning and hands-on industrial placements well. The course structure changes each year to industry standards, trends, and developments. As a PGDM student, you learn valuable skills, such as business acumen and leadership, for working in a management position or starting your own business.

Types of PGDM courses

You’ll find a number of PGDM courses to choose from with their own specialism, another aspect that makes them stand out against an MBA. The PGDM breaks down into four semesters, with the first two covering theory and core subjects and the final two where you choose your own electives. Each syllabus depends on industry standards, and so it varies. 

Possible PGDM specialisms include:

• Entrepreneurship

• Business analytics

• International business

• Marketing management

• Human resource management 

• Finance

• Hospitality management

Ways to study a PGDM course

You’ll find various options for studying a PGDM course. Full-time courses have lasted for two years, and you can also access part-time courses and distance learning courses offered online for students who can’t make an in-person option. These are ideal for people with an existing career who need to fit studies around work. 

Who is a PGDM for?

PGDM is for you if you want to work in business management or want to run your own business. It is also accessed by people already working in management who want to upgrade their skills and progress to more senior positions. As you can choose a specialism, people from various industries choose the PGDM course. 

Benefits of a PGDM course

PGDM is a very popular course in business, rivalling an MBA. In the debate of which of the two courses to pursue, the PGDM has many strengths. Let’s take a look at some in more detail.

Specialisation options

The PGDM relates to specific industries, and one of the many benefits of this course is that institutions can tailor it specifically to an industry of your choice rather than a general business course. In fact, the PGDM course changes regularly to reflect industry trends and standards, immersing students at a deeper level. 

Practical experience

The PGDM isn’t simply a classroom-based course. The links to industry mean you get first-hand experience and a course tailored to an industry as it is today. This means no restrictions on what material or workshops institutions include in the course syllabus, which schools update each year. 

Flexible career options 

Graduation from a PGDM course is highly regarded in all industries, so it is a credential that can help you enter a business, often at a higher level than entry level, due to the skills you learn and the exposure you have to an industry. Holding a PGDM can also lead to higher salaries. 

Entrepreneurial skills

The PGDM course is not only about managing a business for someone else. It also heavily focuses on building entrepreneurial skills, developing leadership and decision-making skills, and encouraging students to be self-starters. 

Networking

As PGDM courses are industry-based, you’ll find ample opportunity to network with those on your course, tutors, facilitators, and those already working in your industry. This gives you a fantastic opportunity to learn from those with experience and to build valuable business connections.

Skills development 

The PGDM course is practical and academic, allowing you to learn and develop skills to progress in your business management career. These include communication, leadership, risk-taking, teamwork, organisation, critical reasoning, and decision-making. 

Entry requirements for a PGDM

To study for a PGDM, you must have a bachelor’s degree in any subject scored at 50 percent or higher. Some colleges with high reputations ask for 60 percent as a minimum. You must also take an entrance exam to be eligible for a PGDM: a CAT, MAT, XAT, GMAT, CMAT, SNAP, or ATMA. In addition to this, some business schools set their own entrance exams. 

Top colleges offering a PGDM

You’ll find many colleges and business schools offering the PGDM course, and every year, the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) releases a list of the top management colleges in India. Among the top PGDM colleges in India as of NIRF's 2023 rankings are [1]:

• XLRI-Xavier School of Management, Jamshedpur

• Management Development Institute, Gurugram

• Symbiosis Institute of Business Management, Pune

• Great Lakes Institute of Management, Chennai

Earn your PGDM course online on Coursera

Are you looking to enroll in a PGDM course? You might consider an online version in your own time in the comfort of your home, such as the Post Graduate Diploma in Management Online, delivered by S.P Jain Institute of Management and Research on Coursera.